Risk Factors and Prognostic Factors for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

ABSTRACT

Branch retinal vein occlusion[BRVO]is the second most common cause of visual loss following diabetic retinopathy, and it invariably occurs at the site of arteriovenous crossing. Several systemic and local factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, and short axial length, have been reported as visual prognostic factors in association with BRVO. However, their pathogenic or prognostic role was not firmly proved. In this study, it is assumed that sex, age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, glaucoma, short axial length, diabetes, smoking or alcohol may be risk factors for BRVO, and the study was conducted to determine whether there is any statistically significant difference between BRVO and control group. And the study was designed to identify the effect of each risk factor, initial visual acuity, or the size of capillary nonperfusion area, on the visual prognosis of BRVO.The BRVO group consisted of 24 male and 58 female, aged of 57.1 +/-12.8 [29~77 years]in male and 59.5 +/-11.0[33~84 years]in female. The control group consisted of sex-, age-matched patients who underwent cataract surgery at the same period. Hypertension[p=0.001], increased intraocular pressure [p=0.031], and short axial length[p=0.001]were statistically significant as risk factors for BRVO. When the influence of confounding variables was controlled, hypertension was statistically significant as a risk factor for BRVO [p=0.0001]. Good initial visual acuity[p=0.01]and small capillary nonperfusion area[p=0.01]were statistically correlated to good visual prognosis. When the influence of confounding variables was controlled, lower intraocular pressure[p=0.03] and small capillary nonperfusion area[p=0.0002] were statistically correlated to good visual prognosis.